One of the things we love so much about The Hip Girl’s Guide to Homemaking is that Kate Payne always thinks to share the simple–but totally essential–skills that many of us manage somehow not to have picked up. A perfect example is the series of useful knots on her blog. Her tutorial for tying a bowline knot is perfect for setting up the clothesline she was making, but of course has an endless number of knot-securing-uses. Just one more reason why we’re excited to give away a copy of Kate’s book next month. If you haven’t already, leave us a comment telling us what project around the house or in your garden you’re most looking forward to tackling this spring/summer, and we will randomly choose a commenter to receive a free copy of this great book. Deadline is May 19.

I found a long narrow iron table at a garage sale, got rid of the wood top, had the legs & frame powdered coated which is quite inexpensive and then bought a bundle of dried saguaro cactus spines that I finally cut to lay across the top of the table and then I am going to lash them to the table frame and have a great table top to lay out our summer suppers on.
I love your blog by the way. Very inspiring and useful.
Rebecca

I’ve been sick all week with bronchitis and had to cancel all my classes (teach senior fitness). Spent the week tackling 20 years of “stuff” in the storage room and want to have it all out or organized by june…which means my kids coming and picking up all their boxes that have been stored there for 15 years or so since leaving home. Want to turn it all into a spacious art studio.

I want to move my totally messy sewing room into an empty bedroom (I gave the furniture away.) into a place where I can take all my leftover fabric and fabric that I have collected over many years and improvise to my heart’s content– tearing, painting and stitching.

Rooms in my house resemble your ‘laboratory’. My daughter and her family or 6 moved in with me after my husband’s death in 2010. They’re still here & the piles are getting a little smaller. This is the project I hope we can attack after school is out (as she is a teacher).

I will be teaching 5 youngsters to sew this summer and am looking for all extra information to share with them!! Also, I will be making a new bedspread and remodeling bedroom this summer. Would love to win this book!

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